AP ICC Profile

ESTABLISHMENT – The Rome Statute creating the ICC was adopted in Italy July 17, 1998. It came into force in July 2002 after ratification by 60 countries. Neither the United States nor Sudan are among the 110 countries which have endorsed the treaty to date.

JURISDICTION – A court of last resort, the ICC acts only when member countries are “unwilling or unable” to dispense justice themselves. It may prosecute individuals responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed after July 2002. The U.N. Security Council may ask the court to open an investigation.

CASES – The prosecutor has opened investigations in Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Sudan and Central African Republic.